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Once again my wife and I were reminded of how fortunate our country is to have such incredible young leaders rising up through our armed forces.

On our way home from a trip to California we noticed the Air Force track and field team members at restaurants in the LAX Airport. They were also on our flight back to Colorado. These young leaders handle themselves so professionally wherever you see them! We overheard some of their discussion about the homework load and time commitment to train but they put such a positive spin on how much they enjoy their courses and instructors that it was worth it.

As we face such tumultuous times, there is no question we are in good hands with these rising future leaders. Needless to say we rested better after arriving home than we did on vacation. A huge thank you to our armed forces!

Brad Bowles

Woodland Park

Other side of reintroducing wolves

Please provide both sides of the argument in the matter of "re"-introducing wolves to Colorado. If for no other reason than looking at Idaho and how much money that state lost in out-of-state hunters in one year because of the destruction the wolves created. Can Colorado really afford to throw that money out the window? The impact is much more significant to the smaller communities such as Kremmling that thrive on the hunting seasons.

Allow the fish and wildlife to manage the game animals in Colorado. Groups such as RMWP look to get wolves in, then sue to keep them from being managed properly, thus allowing them free rein to decimate deer, elk, moose, among other species until there are very few remaining.

All I ask is that you provide clear and unbiased information to the people.

Scott Paisley

Colorado Springs

Evangelicals: Continue as a light

I have many concerns over the Guest Opinion editorial on Easter Sunday by David Gushee entitled, "Evangelicals lost their way by focusing on politics, culture wars." He was agreeing with a recent book by Frances Fitzgerald entitled, "The Evangelicals: The Struggle to Shape America."

The basic theme was: Christians need to stay out of politics and focus only on the gospel and showing love to others. Over 71 percent of Americans identify as Christian which is a significant part of America that should have a voice in our ever-shrinking, free society.

The real reason evangelicals got involved in politics is because politics began to get involved in religious convictions, morality and biblical values with its secularist interpretations and legal rulings. Conservative Christians have pushed back over the decades. The left hasn't liked the fact that they can't totally bulldoze their agenda on supposed sheep-like believers. Although they have accomplished quite a bit in eliminating the Judeo-Christian values that once made American great. Evangelicals need not be kowtowed into the four corners of their church and remain in an isolated Holy Huddle.

Jesus called His followers to be "the salt of the earth" and "lights on a hill." Back in those days, salt purified that which was putrid and preserved that which was good. A light was to guide those in darkness to find their way. That's why evangelicals need to continue to be salt and light within politics and the government of our nation.

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, one of the meanings of politics is "the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy." It comes from the Greek word "politika" or "affairs of the cities." Politics is the practice and theory of influencing other people. There is no scriptural reason why Bible-believing Christians can't voice their opinions in a society that has lost its moral compass. In fact, we are commanded to do so.

Rev. Thomas L. Pedigo

Colorado Springs

Free market is the solution

In the April 7, Gazette comics section, the cartoon "Non Sequitur" by leftist artist Wiley Miller, depicted the free market solution to health care as a street vendor physician. On that same day, I found an article showing that free market solutions are already replacing the failed Obamacare. The Surgery Center of Oklahoma describes itself as a "free-market-loving, price-displaying, state-of-the-art, AAAHC accredited, doctor-owned, multi-specialty surgical facility in central OK." This business is able to provide services at affordable rates, and it has sparked a price war with other hospitals in the area.

Another example of free market success is cataract surgery. In the 1960s, my grandfather spent over a week in a hospital for each eye. Now it's often outpatient surgery and at a much lower cost than 50 years ago.

Miller and others who believe that only government can provide quality health care at reasonable prices should take notice. Free market competition ensures that services will be available at reasonable prices. Government? Medicare, Medicaid, and Obamacare all hide the true cost of health care, and are largely responsible for the rising cost of care. The FDA is the reason for monopolies like the Mylan Epipen. And yet another VA scandal has erupted, this time in Washington, D.C.

We don't need more government involvement in health care, we need less. Repeal Obamacare and replace it with what actually works - the free market.

Richard H. Timberlake, III

Colorado Springs

Putting diplomacy before force

At his recent town hall meeting in Colorado Springs, Congressman Doug Lamborn stated unequivocally that when dealing with foreign adversaries, he favors diplomacy first with the use of force only as a last resort. This statement was surprising to me, given broad-scale Republican criticism of the Obama administration's pursuit of exactly that policy and the recent bombing of a Syrian military site by U.S. forces.

I sincerely hope Lamborn continues to be outspoken about this conviction, using his membership on the House Armed Services Committee and whatever access he has to the Trump White House to champion this approach.